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Mrs. Marisa Macdonald » Home

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SJCS Pledge
 

Welcome to 2nd Grade with Mrs. Macdonald!

 

I am a Florida native and received my BA in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of South Florida. After graduation, I pursued my Masters of Education through the University of Notre Dame’s ACE Service through Teaching Program and have been an educator for the last fourteen years. Additionally, I earned my English as a New Language endorsement through the University of Notre Dame in 2012. I taught at a Catholic school in Kansas City, Kansas, and I then moved to Chicago in 2010 where I spent eight years teaching second grade at a Catholic school in Pilsen. I am excited to be back for my fifth year of teaching in this beautiful school community.

In my free time, I enjoy running, reading, singing, traveling, and spending quality time with my family and friends. I could not imagine teaching anywhere else but a Catholic school, where I can share my faith with my students and watch them grow in their own relationships with God. I am especially looking forward to preparing my students for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.

 

Posts

Thursday, 1/18/24, Notes

Homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice words with "r-controlled vowel" syllables (ar, or)
 
3. Math Lesson 5 Homework pages
 
Reminders:
  • Please continue to practice the Act of Contrition prayer with your child, as s/he will pray it at First Reconciliation on Sunday, 2/4.
  • If your child wears boots, s/he must bring an additional set of school shoes to wear inside. (Thank you for helping keep our classroom safe and dry!)
  • Please pray for some warmer weather - It would be lovely to let our wiggles out outside next week if we can! :)
  • Dress down fundraiser for St. Bede's school = TOMORROW, 1/19 --> Students should wear blue to show their support and bring in one dollar or more to participate.

  • First Communion Banner Kits - Please see the email from Mrs. Lombardo with information about how to order a Communion Banner Kit. You can also visit this link to purchase one: https://www.givecentral.org/location/181/event/39492 Please let me know if you have any questions.

Wednesday, 1/17/24, Notes

Homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes
 
2. Practice words with "r-controlled vowel" syllables (ar, or) --> New packet went home today.
 
3. Math Lesson 4 Homework pages
 
Reminders:
  • Please continue to practice the Act of Contrition prayer with your child, as s/he will pray it at First Reconciliation on Sunday, 2/4.
  • If your child wears boots, s/he must bring an additional set of school shoes to wear inside. (Thank you for helping keep our classroom safe and dry!)
  • Dress down fundraiser for St. Bede's school = Friday, 1/19 --> Students should wear blue to show their support and bring in one dollar or more to participate.

  • First Communion Banner Kits - Please see the email from Mrs. Lombardo with information about how to order a Communion Banner Kit. You can also visit this link to purchase one: https://www.givecentral.org/location/181/event/39492 Please let me know if you have any questions.

Reminders for Wednesday

We are looking forward to welcoming your children back tomorrow!
 
Please remember to send your child with the following:
  • Coat (and hat, gloves, etc.) for arrival and dismissal
  • Water bottle
  • Lunch
  • Home folder
  • Extra shoes (if your child wears boots to school)
  • A positive attitude ;)

Tuesday Reminders

I hope you are staying warm on this Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Please note the following reminders:
  • Please see Mrs. Hein's email re: school on Tuesday
  • If your child wears boots, s/he must bring an additional set of school shoes to wear inside. (Thank you for helping keep our classroom safe and dry!)
  • Dress down fundraiser for St. Bede's school = Friday, 1/19 --> Students should wear blue to show their support and bring in one dollar or more to participate.

Week at a Glance 1/15/24-1/19/24

Week at a Glance

Week of January 15-19, 2024

Math: We will continue to work through our chapter on two-digit subtraction. We will start with a lesson on subtracting a one-digit number from a two-digit number (with options of counting back and also using place value). Then we will move on to subtracting two-digit numbers from two-digit numbers, including using the standard algorithm (regrouping tens for ones) to subtract. Finally, students will be able to rewrite horizontal problems vertically and then solve, being careful to line up the place values correctly. Students can benefit from practicing their addition and subtraction facts at home, either with oral or written practice or by playing games such as card games.

Phonics (Fundations): We will start Unit 8 in our FUNdations program as we practice reading and spelling words with “r-controlled vowels” (more specifically words that contain syllables with /ar/ and /or/ spelling patterns). New trick words to practice include: world, answer, different.

Reading and Writing (Wit & Wisdom): As we continue learning about the Plains Indians, students will discuss how the Plains Indians depended on plants and animals for survival. They will also use an “outside-in” strategy to find familiar words inside of larger words (e.g., “reserve” in the word “reservation”).

Science: None - see Social Studies

Social Studies: We will continue our lesson that answers the question “How do people use their environment?” Students will identify natural resources, distinguish between things made by people and things made by nature, and explain the causes and effects of different types of pollution.

Religion: As we continue preparing for the sacrament of Reconciliation, we will discuss how Jesus heals us through forgiveness, and we will also explain how we can forgive others and ask for forgiveness.

 

Tests and Quizzes:

  • Unit 8 Phonics assessment = week of 1/22/24 → The new packet will go home on Tuesday.
 

Additional Reminders:

  • Please try to take your child to Mass over the weekend. Mass times are as follows:
    • Saturday - 5pm
    • Sunday - 7am, 9am (with Children’s Liturgy of the Word), 11am, and 5pm
  • No school = Monday, 1/15/24 --> Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • All School Mass = Tuesday, 1/16/24 - 8:30 am in the church - All are welcome!
  • Library books are due Friday, 1/19/24
  • 1st Reconciliation = Sunday, 2/4/24
  • Thank you for your generosity to the food pantry yesterday!
  • Stay tuned about a makeup day for the dollar dress down for St. Bede's. We will make that up.
 
First Communion Banner Kits - Please see the email from Mrs. Lombardo with information about how to order a Communion Banner Kit. You can also visit this link to purchase one: https://www.givecentral.org/location/181/event/39492 Please let me know if you have any questions.

Snow Day

I hope and pray that everyone stays safe and warm during the winter storm today! (My fingers are also crossed that the weather improves enough for some outdoor play for your children!)

Thursday, 1/11/24, Notes

Here is tonight's homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes (or more)
 
2. Math 4.3 homework pages - 2-digit subtraction
 
3. No spelling practice - new packet with r-controlled vowels will go home in your child's Friday folder
 
Reminders:
  • Please continue to practice the Act of Contrition prayer with your children. We will also practice this in class, but the more comfortable they are with the prayer for Reconciliation, the better. :)
  • Please send your child with extra school shoes if s/he wears boots.
  • Friday, 1/12/24 = Dress Down Day Fundraiser for St. Bede's School. Bring $1 (or more). Thank you for your generosity and support of our Catholic School community! Please wear BLUE as a sign of solidarity with St. Bede's.
  • No school = Monday, 1/15/24 → Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Wednesday, 1/10/24, Notes

Here is tonight's homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes (or more)
 
2. Math 4.2 homework pages
 
3. Practice words with open syllables --> Assessment (informal) = Thursday, 1/11
 
Reminders:
 
  • 1st Reconciliation Parent Meeting = TONIGHT at 6pm in the Koenig Center
    • 1st Reconciliation = Sunday, 2/4/24
    • Please continue to practice the Act of Contrition prayer with your children. We will also practice this in class, but the more comfortable they are with the prayer for Reconciliation, the better. :)
  • Please send your child with extra school shoes if s/he wears boots.
  • Please check your Kiddos lunch orders to ensure that your child has a lunch every day. Please also send your child with his/her water bottle daily.
  • Food Pantry Collection = Thursday, 1/11/24 --> Second grade should bring in Pancake Mix
  • Friday, 1/12/24 = Dress Down Day Fundraiser for St. Bede's School. Bring $1 (or more). Thank you for your generosity and support of our Catholic School community! Please wear BLUE as a sign of solidarity with St. Bede's.
  • No school = Monday, 1/15/24 → Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Tuesday, 1/9/24, Notes

Homework:
 
1. Read 20 minutes (or more)
 
2. Math 4.1 homework pages --> This lesson is on fact families, as we are starting the chapter on 2-digit subtraction.
 
3. Practice words with open syllables --> Assessment (informal) = Thursday, 1/11
 
Reminders:
  • Please send your child with extra school shoes if s/he wears boots.
  • Please keep all stuffed animals, toys, Pokemon cards, etc. at home to avoid items getting lost or being a distraction during the school day. (Thank you for your help with this.)
  • Please check your Kiddos lunch orders to ensure that your child has a lunch every day. Please also send your child with his/her water bottle daily.
  • No school = Monday, 1/8/24
  • All School Mass = Tuesday, 1/9/24
  • 1st Reconciliation Parent Meeting = Wednesday, 1/10/24, at 6pm in the Koenig Center
    • 1st Reconciliation = Sunday, 2/4/24
  • Food Pantry Collection = Thursday, 1/11/24 --> Second grade should bring in Pancake Mix
  • No school = Monday, 1/15/24 → Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Reminders:

Reminders:

  • Please send your child with extra school shoes if s/he wears boots.
  • Please keep all stuffed animals, toys, Pokemon cards, etc. at home to avoid items getting lost or being a distraction during the school day. (Thank you for your help with this.)
  • Please check your Kiddos lunch orders to ensure that your child has a lunch every day. Please also send your child with his/her water bottle daily.
  • No school = Monday, 1/8/24
  • All School Mass = Tuesday, 1/9/24
  • 1st Reconciliation Parent Meeting = Wednesday, 1/10/24, at 6pm in the Koenig Center
    • 1st Reconciliation = Sunday, 2/4/24
  • Food Pantry Collection = Thursday, 1/11/24 --> Second grade should bring in Pancake Mix
  • No school = Monday, 1/15/24 → Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Week at a Glance 1/8/24-1/12/24

Week at a Glance

Week of January 8-12, 2024

Math: Get ready… We are going to dive into our chapter on 2-digit subtraction. We will start with relating addition and subtraction with fact families. We will continue by using place value to subtract. Finally, we will use visuals and manipulatives to model regrouping and find differences.

Phonics (Fundations): We will finish up and review Unit 7 from our phonics curriculum, where we will review reading and writing words with open syllables. Students will also continue to decode and encode multisyllabic words. We will review trick words: city, family, every, carry, night, something.

Reading and Writing (Wit & Wisdom): We will jump back into our Module on westward expansion as we work to recount a section’s main topic and details. We will also sort points to support a topic statement. Additionally, we will work to define words using context clues and text features (glossary, captions, etc.). Finally, students will draft their responses to one of the focusing questions, which ask about how plants or animals were important to the Plains Indians’ lives.

Science: None - see Social Studies

Social Studies: As we start back to school, we will begin Unit 2 in our Social Studies texts, which focuses on Economics. More specifically, we will answer the question “How do people use their environment?” Students will identify natural resources, distinguish between things made by people and things made by nature, and explain the causes and effects of different types of pollution.

Religion: As we continue preparing for the sacrament of First Reconciliation, we will practice the Act of Contrition prayer daily. (Please practice this at home too.) We will also work through Session 3 in our Reconciliation books, which is all about God’s forgiveness. We will define mortal and venial sins, discuss the story of Jesus and the tax collector, and explain the difference between good and bad choices.

 

Tests and Quizzes:

  • Phonics Unit 7 Assessment = Thursday, 1/11
 

Additional Reminders:

  • Please send your child with extra school shoes if s/he wears boots.
  • Please keep all stuffed animals, toys, Pokemon cards, etc. at home to avoid items getting lost or being a distraction during the school day. (Thank you for your help with this.)
  • Please check your Kiddos lunch orders to ensure that your child has a lunch every day. Please also send your child with his/her water bottle daily.
 
  • Please try to take your child to Mass over the weekend. Mass times are as follows:
    • Saturday - 5pm
    • Sunday - 7am, 9am (with Children’s Liturgy of the Word), 11am, and 5pm
  • No school = Monday, 1/8/24
  • All School Mass = Tuesday, 1/9/24
  • 1st Reconciliation Parent Meeting = Wednesday, 1/10/24, at 6pm in the Koenig Center
    • 1st Reconciliation = Sunday, 2/4/24
  • Food Pantry Collection = Thursday, 1/11/24 --> Second grade should bring in Pancake Mix
  • No school = Monday, 1/15/24 → Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Wishing you the best as 2024 begins.
 
Reminders:
 
Classes resume Tuesday, 1/9/24.
 
Parent 1st Reconciliation Meeting = 6pm in the Koenig Center on Wednesday, 1/10/24.

Two Reminders

*Please help your child remember to bring in any library books on Wednesday so s/he can check out new books for over the break.
 
*No School Friday --> Please see email from Mrs. Hein for details.

Notes for the week

Happy Monday!
 
As we enter this final week of school before Christmas break, please note there is no written homework this week. Students should still be reading and working on spelling words with open syllables, closed syllables, and VCE syllables. (Please note I will most likely not be posting each morning. I have included a list at the bottom of this post with upcoming reminders.)
 
A lot of illnesses are going around the school. If your child has a fever, please keep him/her home and call the office. While it is hard for students to miss some of the activities at this time of year, it is also of the utmost important to get everyone healthy for Christmas break. Please also make sure your child is getting enough sleep and having a healthy breakfast each morning. :)
 
Additional Reminders:
  • Tuesday = no all school Mass → Mass will be Friday, 12/22, at 8:30am
  • Tuesday afternoon = monthly Social Emotional Learning class with Ms. Han and Mrs. Walsh
  • Thursday morning = class party → Thank you to our volunteers!
  • Friday = 11am dismissal
  • Christmas break = School resumes for students on Tuesday, 1/9/24